Arthur strengthened to a Category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph last night before passing over the southern end of the Outer Banks.

The storm is moving northeast after turning slightly west late yesterday, which increases the threat to mainland communities of flooding, tornadoes and intense winds.

Duke Energy says as many as 22,000 customers across the Carolinas may be without power.

Arthur is expected to weaken as it travels northward, dumping rain along the East Coast.

That's changed the July 4th plans of many communities. Fireworks shows in New Jersey and Maine are postponed until later in the weekend.

Update: Associated PressJuly 3, 2013

MIAMI (AP) -- Hurricane Arthur has strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane, with winds increasing to 100 mph as it nears the North Carolina coast.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said that little additional change in strength was expected Thursday night and Friday and that the storm would begin weakening Friday night.

On Thursday night, Arthur was located about 55 miles (90 kilometers) northeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, and about 110 miles (165 kilometers) southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It was moving northeast at 15 mph (24 kph).

News Release: Associated PressJuly 2, 2014

MIAMI (AP) -- The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning for parts of North Carolina as Arthur moves north off Florida's coast, threatening Fourth of July plans for thousands of people.

The warning issued Wednesday stretches from Little River Inlet to the North Carolina-Virginia border. The warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in that area within 36 hours.

Arthur is about 105 miles (165 kilometers) east-northeast of Cape Canaveral and about 260 miles (420 kilometers) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. It is moving north about 7 mph (11 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph).

A tropical storm watch for Florida has been discontinued.

Forecasters expect Arthur to strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday and skim North Carolina's popular, flood-prone Outer Banks on Friday.

News Release: Associated PressJuly 1, 2014 - 3pm

MIAMI (AP) -- With a holiday weekend on the horizon, the National Hurricane Center says the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season is gradually becoming more organized off Florida.

Tropical Storm Arthur formed Tuesday off the state's central coast. A tropical storm watch is in effect from Fort Pierce to Flagler Beach, with tropical storm conditions possible through Wednesday afternoon.

The storm is moving northwest at 2 mph. Forecasters expect Arthur's center to remain just offshore and turn to the north and east into Wednesday. Forecasters predict rain across Florida and life-threatening surf and rip currents.

From Florida to the Carolinas, officials and hotel owners say they're not yet seeing many vacation cancelations or other scrambling.

Associated Press News ReleaseJuly 1, 2014 - 12pm

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Arthur has formed off the central Florida coast, becoming the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says a tropical storm watch is in effect for the state's east coast, from Fort Pierce to Flagler Beach.

The storm's maximum sustained winds late Tuesday morning are about 40 mph. The center says Arthur is expected to strengthen in the next 48 hours. The storm is forecast to produce rainfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, mainly across the eastern Florida peninsula.

The storm is centered about 95 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral and is moving northwest at 2 mph.

Associated Press News ReleaseJune 30, 2014 - 11pm

MIAMI (AP) — A tropical depression has formed off the coast of Florida and is expected to develop fairly quickly into the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Tropical Depression One formed Monday and had maximum sustained winds of about 35 mph, with higher gusts. It was centered 105 miles east-southeast of Cape Canaveral and was moving southwest at about 2 mph.

A tropical-storm watch was in effect Monday night for the east coast of Florida from Fort Pierce northward to just south of Flagler Beach.

The Hurricane Center said gradual strengthening was expected during the next 48 hours and that the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm by Tuesday.

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